In the ongoing controversy over Unification Minister Chung Dong-young's mention of North Korea's Kusong uranium site—allegedly a US intelligence leak—US Forces Korea commander Gen. Xavier Brunson has reportedly protested to South Korea's defense minister, an opposition lawmaker said. Seoul denies the protest amid partial US restrictions on satellite intel sharing.
The dispute stems from Chung's parliamentary remarks last month identifying Kusong as a North Korean uranium enrichment site, which he defended as based on open sources like media and expert reports. Washington complained, suspecting a leak of shared intelligence, and has partially halted satellite data on North Korea-related technology.
On April 21, Rep. Sung Il-jong of the opposition People Power Party, chair of parliament's defense committee, claimed Gen. Brunson protested to Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back over Chung's comments. "Minister Chung should step down immediately," Sung said at a briefing, warning of damage to the South Korea-US alliance. He noted only Yongbyon and Kangson are officially recognized enrichment sites.
South Korea's defense ministry dismissed Sung's claim as "not true," calling it inappropriate for a USFK commander to protest a counterpart. It affirmed ongoing communications and full compliance with intel-sharing pacts. The unification ministry reiterated Chung used open information. A USFK official had no comment.
Chung had expressed regret on April 20 over leak framing, denying access to such briefings.
